Guard Break Guide | BJJ App Wiki
☰Contents
How to break closed guard in BJJ: standing break, knee break, posture techniques, and connecting guard breaks to passing systems.
Breaking closed guard is the first challenge of the top game — a reliable guard break is the foundation of your passing game and determines how quickly you can advance to dominant positions.
📱 Track every roll like the pros
Free forever — heatmap, technique progress, streaks.
Why Guard Breaking Matters
Closed guard prevents you from passing. Until you break the guard, you are limited in the attacks you can attempt and vulnerable to submissions and sweeps from below. A reliable, safe guard break is the first technical skill you need to develop for top game.
Standing Guard Break
The most reliable guard break: place both hands on the hips, posture up to prevent guillotine access, stand up (one foot at a time), place one knee on the mat inside the guard, apply controlled downward pressure on one thigh with your forearm to force the guard to open. Then transition into your passing game.
Knee-in Guard Break
Without standing: from guard bottom, push both knees to the mat (one at a time), sit up tall, insert one knee between your opponent's legs near the hip, apply outward rotation pressure on their leg to force the guard open. This is a lower-risk option against dangerous guard players who might capitalize on the standing position.
Posture Fundamentals
Effective posturing is the prerequisite for guard breaking: head up, back straight, elbows in (not wide), hips forward. Against a strong closed guard, keep one hand on the collar to prevent chokes, one on the bicep to prevent submissions. Maintain pressure down to compress their hips.
Connecting Break to Pass
Guard breaking and passing should be one fluid motion — the moment the guard opens, immediately transition to your preferred pass: stack pass (when guard opens sitting down), torreando (when standing), knee slice (when kneeling). Hesitation after breaking gives them time to recompose guard or attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standing guard break is the safest for beginners because you can see the submissions coming and have more reaction time. Keep your posture and avoid reaching across the body. The main danger is the triangle when you lift your arm — keep the far arm posted on the hip.
Flexible guards are tight because of flexibility, not strength. Use the standing break rather than the knee break (flexibility helps them maintain closed guard on the ground). From standing, the physics of their leg position is harder to maintain.
Yes — if you have good posture, you can attack with: standing up to create passes, wrist locks when they over-grip, posture-down attacks (head and arm choke), and leg locks if they reach for sweeps. However, the primary goal is to break the guard, not to submit from inside it.
Related Guides
→ ⬆️ Top Game Guide→ ⚔️ Passing Styles Guide→ 🔗 Submission Chain Guide→ 🎯 High Percentage Attacks→ 🎯 Back Attacks GuideGet the BJJ Wiki Newsletter
Related Techniques
Related Video
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
To effectively break closed guard, you need to control their hips and knees. Drive your hips down while simultaneously using your forearms to pry open their knees, creating space to pass. Focus on keeping your chest connected to their chest to prevent them from re-establishing the guard.
Against a larger opponent, leverage is key. Instead of trying to overpower them, focus on breaking their posture by pulling their head towards your chest while driving your hips down to their feet, creating an angle. This disrupts their base and makes it harder for them to use their weight.
A common mistake is overextending your arms, leaving them vulnerable to sweeps. Instead, keep your elbows tucked close to your body and maintain pressure through your chest and hips. Focus on driving your shoulder into their hip to control their base and prevent them from creating space to shrimp.
More Questions
What's the most common mistake people make when trying to break guard?
A common mistake is relying too much on brute strength instead of proper leverage and timing. Many also forget to control the opponent's hips and posture effectively, allowing them to maintain their guard.
How can I prevent my opponent from recovering their guard after I've broken it?
Once you break the guard, focus on maintaining control of their hips and legs while simultaneously advancing your position. Pinning their legs or using knee-on-belly can be effective ways to prevent them from re-establishing their guard.
Are there specific guard breaks that work better against certain guard types like closed guard or spider guard?
Yes, absolutely. For closed guard, techniques like the 'S-mount' or 'knee slide' are often effective. Against open guards like spider guard, controlling the grips and breaking the leg posts is paramount before attempting to pass.